Saudi Arabia Says It Will “Not Be Held Responsible” As Houthis Attempt To Disrupt Global Oil
(Update 14:30ET): Saudi state media is citing the kingdom’s energy ministry to confirm that petroleum products distribution facilities in the cities of Jazan and Jeddah were hit in Friday’s Yemeni Houthi missile and drone attack, which included at least 16 projectiles targeting Saudi infrastructure, including reportedly a water plant.
The energy ministry said the kingdom will “not be held responsible” for any shortage of oil supplies to global markets caused by the attacks, which in the past weeks have ramped up. Given the quickness with which the Houthi military via its spokesman proudly owned up to the attack, it’s expected more will come.
The Houthis claim drones and missiles were used to attack Jeddah, Riyadh, Jizan, Najran and Dhahran al Janoub. The group also targeted Aramco’s Ras Tanura refinery and Rabigh refinery #OOTT #Yemen https://t.co/z2cup49Fmb
— Amena Bakr (@Amena__Bakr) March 25, 2022
Further the Saudis said the Yemen Houthis were bent on disrupting the world’s energy supply and security…
Saudi Arabia say the Houthi attacks aim to disrupt global energy security. #OOTT https://t.co/ADmyfVCh7i
— Amena Bakr (@Amena__Bakr) March 25, 2022
This also obviously comes as the White House has already long been scrambling to shore up alternate and additional supplies of oil in the face of the Russia-Ukraine invasion crisis.
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(Update 12:16ET): A confirmed Houthi attack, with full Houthi military statement expected to be issued soon.
Confirmed. The North Jeddah Bulk Plant. Domestic asset for petroleum product supply (including airport). No impact of Saudi crude exports https://t.co/j25w8cBgot
— Javier Blas (@JavierBlas) March 25, 2022
It appears there have been other inbound attacks, some of which the Saudis say they’ve intercepted:
- HOUTHI STATEMENT ON SAUDI OPERATION COMING `SHORTLY’: SPOKESMAN
- SAUDI ARABIA DESTROYS 2 DRONES LAUNCHED TOWARDS NAJRAN: ARABIYA
- YEMEN’S HOUTHIS LAUNCHED MISSILES AND DRONES ON ARAMCO FACILITIES IN JEDDAH – MILITARY SPOKESMAN
- YEMEN’S HOUTHIS MILITARY SPOKESMAN SAYS TARGETED VITAL FACILITIES IN SAUDI ARABIA’S CAPITAL
- ARAB COALITION SAYS HOUTHI LAUNCHED 16 HOSTILE ATTACKS ON FRIDAY
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(Update 11:30am): as Energy Intel’s Amena Bakr notes, it appears that Houthi rebels will – as widely expected – take the claim for the attack on the Aramco facility in Jeddah:
Looks like the Houthis will claim the attack on the aramco facility in Jeddah #OOTT https://t.co/xf8yv5z57S
— Amena Bakr (@Amena__Bakr) March 25, 2022
The biggest concern from the Jeddah attack is that it shows the Houthis of Yemen have the ability to accurately target oil installations in Saudi Arabia. Today was a domestic asset, but tomorrow could be an installation that really matters for crude exports | #OOTT #SaudiArabia
— Javier Blas (@JavierBlas) March 25, 2022
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Oil has spiked to session highs, slamming the Nasdaq down to session lows)…
… after breaking reports of a major fire burning uncontrollably at a Saudi Aramco facility in the port city of Jeddah. According to unconfirmed reports, a Houthi missile or possible drone strike hit the facility from Yemen. The Saudi Press Agency tweeted that a projectile fell on a power distribution station in Samtah, causing a fire; No casulties have been reported. Meanwhile, Al-Arabiya reported that a strike hit the tanks of the National Water Company in Dhahran Al-Janoub, adding that civilian vehicles and residential houses were also hit.
Today’s alleged attack follows a series of recent attacks from Yemen on various Saudi sites, including a last Sunday drone and missile attack also on Jeddah.
While social media videos appear to confirm the inferno, there has not yet been an official confirmation of the reported missile strike.
#BREAKING: Massive fire at Aramco Facility in Saudi Arabia’s Jeddah following reported missile strike pic.twitter.com/fvQs4ibnfc
— I.E.N. (@BreakingIEN) March 25, 2022
Another video shows huge plumes of smoke above Jeddah:
Additional footage has begun to circulate social media of smoke rising from the Aramco Site in Jeddah. pic.twitter.com/gww7khzatC
— Aurora Intel (@AuroraIntel) March 25, 2022
And more from the scene…
The oil tanks are still burning in Saudi Arabia, the city of Jeddah. pic.twitter.com/AoRdnGBHQ6
— maytham (Z_V) (@maytham956) March 25, 2022
Large fire at Aramco facility in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia after Houthi missile attack. It’s worth noting that the Formula 1 is in Jeddah this weekend. pic.twitter.com/Ozk35ekuu0
— Kyle Glen (@KyleJGlen) March 25, 2022
The blaze appears to be the result of possibly the biggest Houthi attack in months that the kingdom has witnessed, also at a moment the US has said it is transferring more Patriot missile systems to defend against the attacks out of Yemen.
